Extension device



'L tv. 12,11; -g Marmi E 55. 1). MYREgERQ; ET AL MW- EXTENSION DEVICE Filed Oct. 19, 193] "may @MQ 7 o @IWA @Mmmm .WM lmmmll, *iig I@ vPatented Mar. 8, 1938 UNIT STTS Zdidll RTENT @FICE EXTENSION DEVICE Application October 19, 1931, Serial No. 569,556

21 Claims.

Our present invention relates to the jewelry art, and has particular reference to extension devices for bracelets and watch straps.

Extension devices have heretofore provided a simple and eective method for temporarily lengthening a bracelet or a watch strap to permit movementl over the wrist of the wearer. It has heretofore been proposed to also utilize an adjustment that will permit lengthening or shortening of the bracelet or wrist watch strap to more closely t the wrist of the wearer when the extension device is in closed position, and such adjustments have been made either in the bracelet or watch strap or in the extension device itself.

Our present invention produces the desired length adjustment by utilizing a link that serves to connect the end of the bracelet or wrist watch .strap to the extension device, the link being 20 locked in desired set position by the closing of the extension device. This construction simplies the adjusting operation, reduces the cost of manufacture by utilizing parts that may be formed by stamping, and enhances the appearance of the bracelet or wrist watch strap by permitting simulation of the bracelet or strap links: by the adjusting link, with resultant concealment of any adjustment.

Moreover, we have found it feasible with the usual construction, to use the inherent resilience of the extension members as an adjustment lock, and to simplify and render more secure the releasable locking engagement of the parts of the extension device.

With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, our invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing the extension device in closed position, and adjusted for length;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view similar to Fig. l, with the extension device in extended position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged central longitudinal section through thegcxtension device shown in Fis. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the extension device in open position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View showing a modied form of link construction;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a further modied form of link construction, preferably struck from sheet stock; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View showing a modified projection.

Referring to the drawing, the extension device has a top plate Ii) which is hingedly connected to one end of a bracelet or watch strap il by means of folding members, and is hingedly connected to the other end of the bracelet or watch strap through an intermediate adjusting link I3 which is slidably mounted .in the topf plate I0. The adjusting link i3 is preferably made in two parts comprising a U-shaped part I4 which is preferably made of wire, and which has recesses I5 at the ends of the sides of the U adapted toreceive the trunnion-like pins i6 of an adjustment plate Il; the sides of the U slide in channels I8 formed in the top plate li! of the extension device and the adjusting link as a whole is slidably locked tothey top plate by the bent over lip or edge I9 of the top plate. Y

An intermediate plate 2i) is hinged to the other end of the top plate and a bottom plate 2l is hingedly connected to the intermediate plate. The intermediate plate, as` shown in Figs. 2 and 4, has a projection 22 which is positioned on the upper face centrally between the side edges ofY the plate and intermediate the ends thereof, this projection being preferably struck up or forced up from the plate material, which projection is selectively engageable with any one of a series of slots. 23 which are positioned between the side edges 25a. of the adjustment plate and which extend in a successive series along the length of the adjustment plate. The bottom plate 2| has spaced catch projections 24 preferably positioned at both ends thereof, for releasably engaging the edges of the channels lil to de- Vtachably lock'the lower plate to the top plate with tire'intermediate link nested therebetween. A finger tab 25 is positioned at one end of the upper plate, as shown in Fig. l, to permit manual disengagement of the top and bottom plates for extending the extension device.

The operation of ther improved construction is as follows: With the extension device in open position, the adjusting link i3 may be slidingly g moved with respect to the top plate Ii), to obtain a desired length for the bracelet or watch strap; the extension device now being closed, the projection 22 will selectively engage one of the slots 23 of the adjustment plate and will be pressed in place due to the inherent resilience of the intermediate plate; the closing of the lower plate over the intermediate plate and the locking of the extension device in closed position by engagement of the catches 24 with the sides of the channels IB then positively secures the parts against relative opening movement.

Instead of using an adjustment plate Il formed as shown in Fig. 2, it may be desirable in certain constructions of bracelets and watch straps, particularly those of relatively great width, to form the adjustment plate as indicated at 26 in Fig. 5, the forward end having laterally extended sides El which snugly engage the sides of the channels i8 for preventing tilting movement of the adjustment plate and obtaining a firmer bearing.

The above described construction of adjusting link permits manufacture of the U shaped part Ill from wire or the like, thus reducing the cost and at `the same time permitting simulation of the bracelet links when used with link bracelets, however, the adjusting link and adjustment plate may, if desired, be made integral, as from sheet stock or the like as shown at 28 in Fig. 6, the blank being cut so as to provide laterally extended sides which may be rolled to form the sides 29 of the U shaped portion.

Instead of using a relatively square projection, as shown in Fig, 4, a saw tooth projection 3i? may be used instead, formed as shown in Fig. '7, The projection is slanted so as to permit adjusting inward movement of the adjusting link when the extension device is in closed position, but to lock against outward movement.

Our novel construction, therefore, utilizes an adjusting link which cooperates with an extension device to provide a length adjustment for the bracelet or watch strap. The U shaped member when used with bracelets or watch straps of link construction simulates the link formation, as shown in Fig. l, and thus adds to the attractiveness and neat appearance of the device. The novel adjustment for length thus includes a slidable part which is slidingly mounted in the extension device and is positively locked in adjusted position upon closure of the extension device parts.

Having thus described specific embodiments of our invention, it is obvious that changes in the arrangement, and in the relative proportion and size of the parts, may be made to suit the requirements of particular types of bracelets and watch straps, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as embodied in the appended claims.

We claimtl. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably mounted in said upper plate, and cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link comprising a series of spaced detents on the adjustment link and a projection on the intermediate plate selectively engageable with said detents for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate, said means being inoperative when the plates are in extended position but operative when the plates are in closed position to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjustment link in the upper plate in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise movement of the adjustment link in the upper plate in a direction to contract the same while the plates are in closed position.

2. In an extension device for a bracelet, two sliding members connected to slide endwise one upon the other, means constituting a. connecting link between the sliding members and one end of the bracelet, said means including an intermediate member hinged to one of the sliding members, and cooperating means on the intermediate member and the other sliding member comprising ratchet means on the other sliding member and a pawl on the intermediate member and inoperative when the intermediate member is in open position but operative when the intermediate member is folded over in closed position upon the sliding members to prevent lengthwise adjustment of the two sliding members in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise adjustment of the two sliding members in a direction to contract the same while the folding member is in closed position.

3. In an extension device for a bracelet, two sliding links connected to slide lengthwise one upon the other and to project one beyond the other when in extended position, means constituting a connecting link between the sliding links and one end of the bracelet, said means including an intermediate link hinged to one of the sliding links, said intermediate link and the other sliding link respectively having cooperating pawl and ratchet means in operative engagement only when the intermediate link is in closed position with relation to the sliding links, said pawl and ratchet means being so formed that when in operative engagement they will hold the sliding links releasably in any one of several positions of lengthwise adjustment between the sliding links and permit a lengthwise adjustment between the sliding links for a relatively small adjustment of the extension device.

4. In an extension device, an upper plate having side flanges, said side anges being turned inwardly to form spaced aligned edges, a lower plate having lateral extensions, an intermediate member hingedly connecting the upper and lower plates and adapted to be received between said lateral extensions, said lower plate and said intermediate member being folded between said spaced edges when said extension device is in closed position, one of said plates having longitudinally spaced catch elements releasably engageable with the edges of the other plate to hold the lower plate and intermediate member in folded relation.

5. In an extension device, an upper plate having side ilanges, said side flanges being turned inwardly to form spaced aligned edges, a lower plate having lateral extensions, an intermediate member hingedly connecting the upper and lower plates and adapted to be received between said lateral extensions, said lower plate and said intermediate member being folded between said spaced edges when said extension device is in closed position, said lower plate having lateral longitudinally spaced catch elements for releasably engaging the spaced edges of the upper plate.

6.. In an extension device, an upper plate having side ilanges, said side flanges being turned inwardly to form spaced aligned edges, a lower plate having lateral extensions, intermediate member hingedly connecting the upper and lower plates and adapted to be received between said lateral extensions, said lower plate and said intermediate member being folded between said spaced edges when said extension device is in closed position, said lower plate having catch elements at each end thereof for releasably engaging the spaced edges of the upper plate.

7. In a oldable bracelet buckle a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on the other in overlying relationship, a member slidably mounted in one section, interengaging means on said member and another section comprising a series of abutments on said member and a tongue of extended length integral with said other section, and extending over, the stock of said member.

8. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably connected to said upper plate, and cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link comprising a series of spaced detents on the adjustment link and a projection on the intermediate plate selectively engageable with said detents for selec-` tively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate, said means being inoperative when the plates are in extended position but operative when the plates are in closed position to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjustment link with respect to the upper plate in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise movement of the adjustment link with respect to the upper plate in a direction to contract the same while the plates are in closed position.

9. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably connected to said upper plate, and cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link comprising a series of spaced detents on the adjustment link and a projection on the intermediate plate selectively engageable with said detents for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate.

10. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably mounted in said upper plate, and cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link comprising a series of spaced detents on the adjustment link and a projection on the intermediate plate selectively engageable with said detents for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate.

11. In a bracelet structure, extensible means for connecting the ends of a pair of bracelet sections comprising a supporting member provided with inturned lateral edges forming guideways, an extension member provided with longitudinally extending spaced lateral portions slidably mounted within the guideways of said supporting member and having a portion located intermediate of and connecting said lateral portions, a foldable member pivotally connected to said supporting member and movable into folded relation therewith, and means carried by said foldable member and the intermediate portion of said extension member engageable when the foldable member is in its folded position relative to said supporting member to lock said extension member against lengthwise sliding movement in either direction relative to said supporting member.

l2. In a bracelet structure', extensible means for connecting the ends of a pair of bracelet sections comprising a supporting member provided with inturned lateral edges forming guideways, an extension member provided with longitudinally extending spaced lateral portions slidably mounted within the guideways of said supporting member, means carried by said spaced lateral portions and located intermediate thereof for engagement with cooperating means carried by a foldable member, a foldable member pivotally connected to said supporting member and movable into folded relation therewith, and means carried by said foldable member engageable with the means carried by the spaced lateral por-- tions of said extension member when the foldable member is in its folded position relative to said supporting member to lock said extension member against lengthwise sliding movement in either direction relative to said supporting member.

13. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and lower plates, an adjustment link slidably mounted in said upper plate, and cooperating lock means on said intermediate plate and said adjustment link comprising a series of detents and a projection selectively en-' gageable with sai-d detents for selectively locking said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate, said means beinginoperative when the plates are in extended position but operative when the plates are in closed position to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjustment link in the upper plate.

14. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting said upper and lower plates, and an adjustment link slidably connected to said upper plate, said link and said intermediate plate having cooperating means for selectively setting and locking said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate.

15. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting said upper and lower plates, and an adjustment link slidably mounted in said upper plate, said link and said intermediate plate having cooperating means for selectively setting and locking said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate.

16. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably connected to said upper plate, and cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate, said means being inoperative when the plates are in extended position but operative when the plates are in closed position to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjustment link with respect to the upper plate in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise movement of the adjustment link with respect to the upper plate in a direction to contract the same while the plates are in close-d position.

17. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably connected to said upper plate, and cooperating mean-s on said intermediate plate and said adjustment link comprising aseries of detents and a projection selectively engageable with sai-d detents for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate, said means being inoperative when the plates are in extended position but operative when the plates are in closed position to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjustment link in the upper plate in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise movement of the adjustment link in the upper plate in a direction to contract the same while the plates are in closed position.

18. in an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connected to the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably connected to -said upper plate and adjustable cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link positioned intermediate the side edges thereof for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate, said means being inoperative when the plates are in extended position but operative when the plates are in closed position to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjustment link with respect to the upper plate in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise movement of the adjustment link with respect to the upper plate in a direction to contract the same while the plates are in closed position.

i9, In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably connected to said upper plate, and adjustable cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link pon sitioned intermediate the side edges thereof for -selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate.

20. In an extension device, an upper plate, a lower plate, an intermediate plate hingedly connecting the upper and the lower plates, an adjustment link slidably mounted in said upper plate, and adjustable cooperating means in said intermediate plate and said adjustment link positioned intermediate the side edges thereof for selectively setting said link in desired longitudinal relation to said upper plate.

21. In an extension device, an upper plate having side flanges extending downwardly therefrom and turned inwardly to form spaced aligned edges, a lower plate having side ilanges, an intermediate member hingedly connecting the upper and lower plates and adapted to be received between said lower plate side anges, said lower plate and said intermediate member being folded between said upper plate spaced edges when the extension device is in closed position, said lower plate side flanges having catch elements for releasably engaging the spaced edges of the upper plate.

SVEN O. MYRBERG. GEORGE U. MEYER. 

